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WREATH CEREMONY - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Korean National Cemetery in Seoul, Republic of South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison More Photos | Story | Speech
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 23, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he’s encouraged by unofficial endorsements NATO defense ministers are expressing for Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s strategy proposals for Afghanistan, along with indications they’re considering additional resources to support the mission there. Story
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 23, 2009 – NATO defense ministers are expressing broad support for the new U.S. approach to missile defense in Europe and the opportunity it may offer to make Russia a partner in the effort, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. Story
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his fellow NATO defense ministers meeting in Slovakia will hear from the commander of the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Story
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he’s headed to a NATO defense ministers meeting in Slovakia confident there’s enough to discuss about Afghanistan even without a U.S. decision on the strategy there. Story
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering commitment” to its alliance with the South Korea, assuring it will continue to provide extended deterrence against North Korea and other threats. Story
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2009 – Lauding progress toward transferring wartime operational control of South Korean troops to their own country in 2012, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today called on the longtime U.S. ally to assume a larger security role on the Korean peninsula and beyond. Story | Speech
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2009 – It’s in the United States’ long-term interest to engage more closely with China, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today, and his new top officer in the Pacific said he’s looking forward to the role he hopes to play in the dialogue. Story | Speech
TOKYO, Oct. 21, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today praised a close collaboration between the military and the White House in examining the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, dismissing news reports of a rift. Story
TOKYO, Oct. 21, 2009 – Citing “great opportunities” to further strengthen the U.S.-Japanese security relationship in cooperation with the new Japanese government, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates re-emphasized today the need to move forward with the agreed-to realignment plan. Story
EN ROUTE TO TOKYO, Oct. 19, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is on his way to Japan, where he will discuss a broad range of defense issues as the first Cabinet-level U.S. official to visit the new Japanese Democratic Party government since it took office last month. Story
HONOLULU, Oct. 19, 2009 – As Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates travels this week to Japan and South Korea before heading to a NATO defense ministers conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, he’s expected to ensure the issue of support for Afghanistan remains solidly on front burner. Story
CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Oct. 19, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presided over a change-of-command ceremony here today as Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating passed the U.S. Pacific Command helm to Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard. Story | Speech
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will kick off a whirlwind trip this weekend that will begin with a change of command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii, followed by visits to South Korea, Japan and a NATO defense ministers conference in Slovakia. Story